Why Does My Back Hurt? Common Causes of Back Pain
Your spinal column has a lot of responsibility, serving as the primary support for the structure of your body. Not only does it have to be resilient enough to keep you standing tall, but it also needs to have the flexibility to allow your body to move freely. With all that’s asked of it back, pain is a common experience for people of every age. From sore muscles and herniated discs to fractured vertebrae, there’s a host of reasons your back may be experiencing pain. In most cases, those who experience back pain have developed it over time.
What Causes Back Pain To Develop?
Throughout our lives, we can develop back pain gradually, or it can come on quite suddenly due to trauma. The most frequent source of back pain include repetitive motion, poor posture, and utilizing poor body mechanics when moving heavy loads. Back pain occurs when the spinal cord, a connected system of 24 vertebrae, moves out of alignment, develops problems with discs, or is otherwise negatively impacted.
A common source of back pain is the result of muscle strain. The spine is supported by muscle bands that can experience pain when overextended. This can be the result of accidents, sports, falls, any activity where the muscle can become overworked or stretched too far. Pregnancy also puts a remarkable strain on the spine, and back pain is a common result.
How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?
When you’re experiencing back pain, the first step is going to be speaking to Dr. Trang D Nguyen about it. The method of reaching a diagnosis will depend on how you describe your pain and how you experience it. Diagnosis methods can include:
- X-Rays used to check bones for damage
- CT or MRI’s can be used to check for herniated discs or other soft-tissue damage
- Nerve and Muscle Damage is identified with EMG (Electromyogram)
- Blood and Urine tests can identify kidney stones, infections, and other causes
The results of these tests will help identify the origin of your pain and provide information about the appropriate treatment steps to follow. Another factor that will determine what tests are done is how many times you’ve experienced this pain.
How Will my Back Pain be Treated?
Mild back pain often responds well to ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or other over the counter medications. Ice packs and heating pads can also be applied to help ease occasional back pain. Chronic back pain may call for a firmer or softer mattress. In more severe cases, physical therapy or surgery will be called for. Dr. Nguyen will help you determine the proper next steps.
If you’re experiencing ongoing back pain, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Conroe Family Doctor in Conroe, TX. We’re proud to be serving our community with routine medical care in a family-oriented environment. Don’t let your back pain impact your quality of life, call us today to start getting answers that can help eliminate back pain and let you get back to living!
